The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
